National Republican., 1887-01-26
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
TIE PROPOSED WOMAN SUFFRAGE con-
sTITUT10NAL AMENDMENT
Debated and Defeated in the Senate
More Favorable Prospects of the
Fertilization Appropriation Bili-Po-
litical Discussion in the House.

MT. AlllbOn DEtetnttu buc lo-
port on the army appropriation bill. He
stated that most OF the amendments were
formal, and that the total amount appro.
pflated in the bill is $23, J24,7lS, being
S2s,33S less than the appropriation OF last
year.
Mr.. Hawloy thought this good oppor-
tunity to inquire of Mr. Allison what had be-
come Of the fertilization bill Of last session.
Mr.. Allieon suggested that Mr.. Dawes,
chairman of the conference committee on
that bill, could explain the matter best.
Mr.. Dawes said that the conference COM
mittee on the fortifcation bill had held two
or three sittings last session and had been
unable TO agree. Immediately on the as
eembliDg Of this session the conference
committee had been called together aud
had had several meetings, without being
able, as yet, to agree. He was not certain
that 1t would be proper for him to state
what the differences were. There was
some prospect, however, that, In some
shape there would be an early agreement.
The conference had been interrupted by the
absence Of two Of the House conferees.
The differences seemed to be radical.
They seemed to be between doing substanti-
ally nothing, end appropriating five or six
millions to begin the work. There seemed
W bt u ldCh VI Ou tnc Diib VI
some Of the House conferees Ia those who
would have to execute the law under the
existing administration He thought that
II the conference committee could be in-
duced to establish new bureau for the
purpose OF executing the law, a good deal
OF the difficulty could be got over.
The conference report on army appro-
pfiatlon bill was then agreed to.
Mr.. Dawes, from the conference commit
tee on the bill to provide for the allotment
of lands In severalty to Indians on the
various reservations, and to extend the
protection Of the laws OF the United States
and Of the territories over the Indians,
made report.
Mr.. DoIph inquired whether the limit of
twenty-five years fixed as the time before
which the lands owned by indians could be
alienated had been reduced.
Mr.. Dawes replied that It had not been.
The time limiting the time Of alienation
had not been reduced. On the contrary,
the President was authorized to extend the
limit in particular cases. AS soon as the
individual Indian took up bis allotment he
vast to have patent, which patent would
be held by the government for twenty five
years, at the end OF which time he was to
get patent In fee.
After further explanation the conference
report was agreed to.
Mr.. Hoar, from the committee on privl-
leges and elections, reported Ia the case of
the petition OF three residents Of Washing
ton county, Tex, (alleging that they and
others bad been unlawfully deprived Of the
right of suffrage in that county, resolu-
tion instructing that committee TO inquire
into all the circumstances, with power to
send for persons and papers, to employ
stenographer, and to act by subcommit-
tee.
Mr.. Salisbury, member Of the commit
tee, said that he had voted against the re-
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1t In the Senate.
Mr.. Eustis, another member Of the COM
mittee, made like statement.
The report and memorial were ordered
printed and went over for the present.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Call some
time since (amended so as to instruct the
Attorney General to bring suit for an in
junction against the Florida Railway and
Navigation Company was called up.
Mr.. Morgan addressed the Senate In OPP
position ut.
Mr.. Morgan was still speaking when the
hour Of Q o'clock arrived and the presiding
officer announced the regular order to be
the unfinished business-the bill to estab
)ish agricultural experimental stations.
Mr.. Blair moved to lay aside the unfln-
ished business and to take up the proposed
women's suffrage constitutional amend
ment.
A hundred or more ladies from all parts
vi tuc COuubIy-lcdutIs III buc WOIuuu bul-
frage movement-were in the Senate gal
lery at this time.
Mr.. Call, whose resolution relating to O
Florida railroad was under discussion,
made plea against the proposition to dis
place It.
Mr.. George called attention to the unfln.
ished state Of the bill for the establishment
of agricultural experiment stations, setting
forth its parliamentary rights and protest.
ing against any action which would push II
permanently aside.
Mr.. Beck reminded the Senate of the
notice he had previously given OF his pur-
pose to press the railroad attorney bill, and
alluded to the long postponement of this
measure already once passed by the Senate
and brought back for reconsideration. A
very distinguished lady miss Anthony
had sent for him three times yesterday
morning, and he had refused to go out, be-
cause he knew he would De unable to re.
fuse what she would ask
Mr.. Blair was importunate, and backed by
the influence Of the gallery proved too
strong for the array against him. Even Sen
ators Call and Beck, upon being brought
10 the issue, voted against their own meas
ures and In favor Of the ladies. The vote
was as follows:
YEAs-Beck, Blair, Bowen, Brown, Butler,
Mitchell of oregon, Morrill, Palmer, Plat,
Plumb, Ransom, Sherman. Teller Wilson Of
NAys~Berry, Blackburn, Cockrell, Coke,
George, Gibson. Gray, McMillnu: Morgan,
y Payne al pugl, isaulssbsury' Sawyer, Vest Wal
The following is the text Of the proposed
amendment:
The right of citizens of the United States to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States, or by state, on account OF sex.
Congress shall have power, by appropriate leg
islaton to enforce the provisions OF this article.
Mr.. Brown addressed the Senate in oppo-
sition. He said that, as member Of the
select committee on woman suffrage, he
had signed with Mr.. CockrelD the minority
report, in which they had sought to estab-
lish the fact that the proposed legislation
would be injudicious and unwise. He
should not hesitate to reiterate to-day por-
tions Of what he had then said. He believed
that the Creator intended that the sphere of
of the males and females of the human
race should be different, and that their duties
and obligations, while they differed mate
rally, were equally important and equally
1t was doubtful, he said, whether the man
or the woman had now the most influence
in government affairs. The intelligent,
noble, cultivated woman was power be-
hind the throne. All her influence was In
favor Of morality and good government. She
now exercised an imperceptible influence In
public affairs much greater than she could
II female suffrage were enacted. 1t might
be qualification to a small minority of
women, but 1t would be cruelty to the large
majority OF them. The most Ignorant and
less refined portions OF the female popula-
tion to say nothing OF the ss baser
while refined, intelligent, and virtuous
women would stay at home. Thus
there would be vast preponderance Of
ignorance and vice at the polls. Things
were bad enough now in that connection.
Was the Senate ready to expose women to